Hour 1: John Adams, KnoxNews.com

Summary

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The Paul Finebaum Show (Hour 1): John Adams, KnoxNews.com

Date: July 30, 2026
Host: Paul Finebaum
Guests: John Adams (KnoxNews.com), Amanda Christovich (Front Office Sports), Listener Callers

Overview

In this episode, Paul Finebaum dives into several core stories dominating the SEC and wider college football landscape. He is joined by John Adams to scrutinize the NCAA's controversial suspension of Tennessee's Arian Carter for a minor infraction, explores the shifting powers and priorities in the world of college sports governance, and checks in with Amanda Christovich for an in-depth report on the Congressional negotiations impacting college athletics. Throughout, Paul fields lively calls covering team prospects, coaching philosophies, and the NIL/transfer landscape, always blending his trademark wit and irreverence.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NCAA Suspends Arian Carter for Minor Infraction

[01:40 – 08:41]

• The Story: Tennessee linebacker Arian Carter declared for the NFL draft, participated in pre-draft workouts, but withdrew due to injury. An agent paid for his $427 flight; Carter later decided to return to Tennessee and repaid the money, but the NCAA handed him a two-game suspension for this "impermissible benefit."
• Initial Suspension & Appeal: Originally three games, reduced to two after appeal by Tennessee coach Josh Heupel.
• Adams’ Take:
  • "Silliness prevails with the NCAA even in its dying days." (John Adams, 02:16)
  • "For years, long before NIL and the transfer portal, we media types have made fun of the NCAA's thick manual with a myriad of rules that nobody can keep up with... Now in this era it looks even more foolish than ever..." (John Adams, 05:11)
• Finebaum’s Reaction:
  • "How do you even justify something like this in an era when everything is geared toward 50 million dollar rosters and multimillion dollar contracts?" (Paul, 04:42)
• Potential Impact: Carter will miss the games against Chattanooga and Georgia Tech, a notable blow as Georgia Tech features a strong running attack, and Carter is praised as a key leader and experienced defender.

Memorable Quote:

"Talk about not reading the room. I mean, shouldn't somebody just say, whoa, this is going to look really bad. You will be ridiculed for this, but apparently there are no checks and balances." (John Adams, 05:50)

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2. Washington Update: College Sports Legislation in the Senate

[19:24 – 30:15]

• Setting the Stage: Pressure mounts in the Senate over a sweeping collegiate sports bill, with the SEC and Big Ten holding significant power over its fate.
• Amanda Christovich’s Report:
  • "The real deadline is when John Thune leaves the Senate today. If he does not file for cloture today...I don't expect to see this before the August recess." (Amanda, 20:20)
  • Confusion and shifting priorities are rife. The main sticking issue now: cap circumvention around revenue sharing, not media rights pooling or expansion as initially expected.
  • Even within the SEC and Big Ten, schools aren't unified—meaning conference "positions" might mask internal dissent.
  • Ted Cruz’s detailed messaging on social media is framed as a sign the bill’s prospects are shaky:

    "This is not a tweet you put out if your conversations are going well." (Amanda, 23:00)

• Congressional Dysfunction:
  • "Deadlines are usually...if you miss a deadline, you get in trouble. Apparently...that isn't the case in the Senate—if there's a deadline that you're supposed to tell senators when you like something...eh, it's a soft deadline." (Amanda, 29:10)
• Paul and Amanda's Cynicism:
  • Paul: "I'm to the point where I don't believe anyone in Washington on any subject." (Paul, 22:20)
  • Amanda, tongue-in-cheek: "I don't believe anyone anywhere for any reason except for you, Paul. I mean, you're the only person that's trustworthy in this whole big wide world." (Amanda, 22:29)

Notable Exchange:

"If there's another round of this in September, I think the college football writers might...secede from covering the politics of college football..." (Amanda, 27:29)

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3. Listener Call Segment: Key Questions and Commentary

[10:13 – 36:25]

• On Alabama, Saban, and DeBoer's Tan

  • Lighthearted opening: A caller asks why coach DeBoer is so tan compared to Nick Saban. Paul jokes:

    "My guess is that Saban uses more sunblock when he plays golf than DeBoer... DeBoer looked like he had just come from...one of those strip mall tanning beds." (Paul, 10:42–11:02)

• Team Projections and QB Debates

  • Florida’s Outlook: Paul forecasts 7–9 wins for the Gators, with tough games against Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
  • SEC Leaving NCAA? Not happening, Paul clarifies, despite misleading headlines.

• Miami vs. Texas and Postseason Prospects

  • Paul: "Georgia is actually the favorite in the SEC by a hair over Texas." (15:03)
  • Texas is formidable but faces a tough schedule; Miami's only major challenges are Notre Dame and Clemson.

• LSU/Texas A&M Playoff Exclusion

  • Paul explains, "Texas A&M came close to the SEC title game, but with the 12-team playoff now, the conversation has shifted." (17:02)

• NCAA vs. College Sports Commission (CSC) Authority

  • The CSC's disciplinary scope is more limited than the NCAA, focusing on eligibility and NIL issues.
  • On Alabama OC Ryan Grubb: If the offense sputters, fan pressure will mount, but DeBoer’s fate is tied to his coordinator.

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4. Philosophy of Modern Coaching & Collectives

[30:53 – 36:25]

• Caller "Tom" on Coaching Realities and the Portal:
  • Argues you must compare not just coaches, but their situations and resources.
  • Uses hypothetical bets to illustrate the power of collectives, NIL, and athletic department support in modern success, especially at Alabama.
  • Memo to Bama fans: "Please relax because until you get in the portal, you're not going to win the national championship. So just forget it." (Tom, 33:40)
• Paul on Program Strategy:
  • "Alabama has made critical strategic mistakes...if this is not rectified in a relatively short period of time, the overall philosophy, then five years from now is going to be too late. Alabama cannot just waltz into college football and take it over again. They have done that over time. It is a historical power. But so was Nebraska." (Paul, 35:44)

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Adams on NCAA 'Flex':
  "Nonetheless, it was though the NCAA just wanted to flex its muscle and show, contrary to what you're saying, it does still exist and it's showing Arian Carter in Tennessee football, in fact, that it does." (03:47)
• Paul on Congress:
  "This is a sports show, not C-SPAN." (08:41)
• Amanda on Senate 'Deadlines':
  "Apparently, that isn't case in the Senate if there's a deadline that you're supposed to tell senators when you like something. Eh, it's a soft deadline." (29:10)
• Amanda’s Playful Trust:
  "I don't believe anyone anywhere for any reason except for you, Paul." (22:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• NCAA’s Arian Carter Decision: 01:40 – 08:41
• Listener: Alabama Coaching/DeBoer’s Tan: 10:13 – 11:53
• Paul on Florida’s Football Season & SEC Rumors: 12:04 – 13:53
• Miami vs. Texas, SEC Playoff Discussion: 13:58 – 15:55
• CSC’s Power vs. NCAA Explained: 17:22 – 18:07
• Amanda Christovich Reports from DC: 19:24 – 30:15
• Caller Tom on Collectives & Long-Term Strategy: 30:48 – 36:25

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Atmosphere and Tone

Paul Finebaum maintains a blend of sharp humor, frank skepticism (especially toward NCAA and Congressional machinations), and deep institutional knowledge. The show moves briskly between serious analysis and playful banter, especially during the call-ins. Amanda Christovich provides a rapid, clear-eyed summary of legislative gridlock and insider tension, matching Paul’s style with a touch of self-aware media cynicism.

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For listeners craving insight, context, and a little comedic relief about the state of college sports, this episode scores.

Transcript

[A]

The pride, passion and pageantry of college football lives here. This is the Paul Feinbaum show, our 1 podcast.

[B]

This might be college football. And it is Thursday. Good afternoon and welcome to the party here that never ends. Good afternoon. A lot happening, Big Ten media days wrapping up wherever they decide to wrap up. We'll update you on some of the latest from there. And again, the Big Ten of the SEC don't agree on much fighting the Senate. They do. Yeah. They're united to defeat Ted Cruz. We'll update you on all that. This is Amanda Kristovich. He'll join us in a few minutes. Today is decision day. Everybody's got their. We're going to spare you the play by play like we're Wolf Blitzer here. Lyon, Ted Cruz tweeting. There's confusion about how the Kaplan associated entity language worked in the pcsa. Let me clear it up. You know, Ted, if you're trying to clear it up a couple hours after the deadline, maybe you haven't done a very good job. Amanda saying this is not a tweet you put out if conversations are going well. So this is a statement from the White House. They made this pretty readily available. The White House has been following these negotiations closely and the president has been actively engaged.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

There's actually a few more important things going on right now with the White House. But nothing would be more important than the universal thumbing of one's nose to the ncaa. We didn't even know the NCAA still existed until they suspended Arian Carter for two days for two games. John, before we get to the reaction, can you give us if possible, the details and the facts of this and then we'll get to the decision that wasn't good afternoon.

[C]

Sure, Paul silliness prevails with the NCAA even in its dying days. Arian Carter had declared for the NFL draft. Tennessee linebacker went for some pre draft workouts in January. He unfortunately was having leg issues. He has foot issues. It shortened his season last year so he had to leave. He had to leave the workout and actually went to get medical attention. His agent and he had an agent because he thought he was going pro. Paid for $427 flight. Then later on Arian decided the injury was significant. He wouldn't be able to work out the way he wanted to. He had another year of eligibility left at Tennessee and made what I thought was a wise choice plan on returning to Tennessee. That return won't come quite as quickly as he planned in terms of game action because the NCAA slapped him with a two game suspension because of his. He had received a benefit and an illegal benefit by taking money from his agent, even though he repaid it and even though he was allowed to declare change his mind about the NFL draft. So I mean, this is one of those things. And initially, I should point out, initially it was a three game suspension. Josh Hyple, Tennessee's football coach and UT appealed in the NCAA in its infinite mercy said, well, we'll only charge you two games and two games for what is a level three, a level three transgression. This is not a serious violation. Nonetheless, it was though the NCAA just wanted to flex its muscle and show, contrary to what you're saying, it does still exist and it's showing Arian Carter in Tennessee football, in fact, that it does.

[B]

I mean, John, I, you know, I don't have the outrage left in me because you've already used it and so have many of your colleagues. But how do you even justify something like this in an era when everything is geared toward $50 million rosters and multimillion dollar contracts? I mean, it just doesn't, I mean, how do you even rationalize this or what have you heard, if anything, from the ncaa, assuming they still have a, a voice somewhere?

[C]

It's a very quiet voice, but it, it raised its voice in this case, Paul, for years, long before nil and transfer portal, we media types have made fun of the NCAA's thick, thick manual with all the, a myriad of rules that nobody can keep up with. And that's why so many athletic departments have to invest money in and manpower in compliance, because you almost need a law firm to keep up with all the NCA rules and how they might be administered. But as you point out now in this era it looks even more foolish than ever because the whole sports scene is awash in cash. Players, coaches, everybody's making a lot of money and here we have a $427 infraction and the NCAA is going to show its muscle. Talk about not reading the room. I mean, shouldn't somebody just say, whoa, this is going to look really bad. You will be ridiculed for this, but apparently there are no checks and balances.

[B]

John, is this case dead now? I mean, is there anywhere else to go?

[C]

Well, I don't like to say any case is dead in today's world of college sports because there's always an attorney and a possibility of a lawsuit. But I don't think at this stage that you would do that. I guess it would be conceivable that a player could file a complaint, go to court, take the NCAA to court. I don't know if there would be time before the season opener, but we've seen that and invariably the NCA loses in court, particularly when it's a ma. In most cases, when it's a matter of student athlete's rights as opposed to the NCA rules, the NCA invariably loses. So I don't think that will happen. But gosh, in today's era it just seems so absurd to have a penalty like that.

[B]

And, and I hate to get onto the football field, but second week of the season some people are going okay, that includes the Georgia Tech game on the road. You know, the ability of Aaron Carter. What, how big a loss could that be in a game like that?

[C]

Well, I think it's significant loss because consider the competition. Georgia Tech is a run oriented offense. Brent Key is a, a really good coach, a very competitive against good teams in an underdog role, likes to run the ball and they have Justice Haynes, a former Alabama player who transferred from Michigan should be one of the top running backs in the country. They have another proven running back. So linebacking could be a key in this game. Now Tennessee does have three other experienced linebackers. Nonetheless, you know how it is when you're playing a run oriented team, a physical team that's going to take it to you with a power running game. You'd like to have some depth there. And he's also, he also will be missed because he's a really good team leader. He's a veteran player and I think Tennessee was really excited to have him back after he decided not to enter the NFL Early.

[B]

John Adams with the latest on the hypocrisy of the ncaa. Many thanks, John. Always great to talk to you. We are heading to a break right now. A lot of more guests will be dropping by. We mentioned Amanda on the latest from Washington. We're going to try to not just put you to death on Senate News today. This is a sports show, not C Span. Katie Taylor is an author. We'll talk to her and Vanini on all of these subjects and your phone calls next.

[A]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[B]

So we are back. Kurt Signetti, who do you think he was responding to here? We don't run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. And when we fall short, we say we. We fell short. We don't cry a river, whine and complain. That's why we're the best. Who's he talking about? I pose that to you, the audience of this great show. Anyone specific that Kurt Signetti was addressing with that wine and cheese comment there? 855-242-7285 is our number here. Update from Washington, D.C. coming up here in a few minutes. I know all of you are hanging on for that. Let's check in with Pembroke, who is in Jackson, Mississippi.

[A]

Hey, Mr. Feinbaum. How are you today?

[B]

Great, thank you.

[A]

Good, good. It's been a minute. I wanted to talk to you. I was watching the SEC media days and I noticed that DeBoer, Coach DeBoer was extremely tan. And I also noticed that Nick Saban was not tan. And my question to you is, what do you think that's all about?

[B]

Yeah. My guess is that that Saban uses more sunblock when he plays golf than DeBoer.

[C]

Right.

[B]

DeBoer looked like he had just come from like a. Yeah, like one of those strip mall tanning beds.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Not a good one. Not like your health club or your Planet Fitness or the Y. Not like one you would get, you know, with a gift certificate for a bridal shower, but one you literally right next to the Dollar Loan ghost store. I mean, he goes in there, 15 minutes, $15, and he gets a Key west tan.

[C]

He went way overboard.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, people always tell me, like, you look like you're really tan. I'm not dirty. Little secret. When you're on TV in front of lights, they put powder on you so you look a little darker than you really are. But DeBoer, I mean, DeBoer looked like he just got off a lobster boat.

[A]

I could not agree anymore. My question is, you know, what's the team going to look like?

[B]

I have no answer for you there, by the way. I'm an optimist when it comes to Alabama. And some of that is just pure stubbornness because I never want to believe Alabama is not going to be good. And I've gone down the rabbit hole too many times believing that they would beat somebody because they're Alabama. DeBoer is managing to prove all of us wrong on that. Pembroke, thank you very, very much.

[C]

And

[B]

Aaron is up next in Kentucky. Hello, Aaron.

[A]

Hey, Paul.

[C]

So I had two questions for you.

[A]

My first one is, I want to

[C]

know how do you think the Florida Gators will do and if you think Tramella Jones or Aaron Filo is the better quarterback?

[A]

And also, do you think that SEC

[C]

is going to separate from the.

[B]

I think Florida is going to be good. There's a long way between good and great cliche there. Can they get through Auburn? If you tell me that, I can probably tell you pretty closely what I think their record is going to be. I think Texas is a loss. I think Georgia probably a loss. And then how do they negotiate Oklahoma at home? How do they deal with Ole Miss at home? I mean, those are two really tough games that they get at home. I think they can win one of those games. Can they go to Missouri and win? Can they beat South Carolina? Can they win at Auburn? I mean, they're anywhere between seven and five and nine and three. The SEC is not leaving the ncaa.

[C]

That.

[B]

That story never happened. I know. I know. The headlines indicated otherwise. John is in Maryland. You're on the air. Hello? Hey, John. Good afternoon. No, John.

[C]

Hello?

[B]

Okay. John, you there?

[C]

Yes, I'm here.

[B]

Good.

[C]

Can you hear me?

[B]

Yes, I can.

[C]

Okay, so I just wanted to compare Miami versus Texas. Like, how do you think those two match up? Is Texas the favorite in the sec? And can Miami make a repeat of making it to the national championship?

[B]

Miami can make a good run. They've got the quarterback over from Duke. They've got a lot of the same players. Not all the same players, but a few of the same players. They've got a schedule, and people say, why do you always mention the schedule? Well, I'll tell you why. They're at Notre Dame. That's the toughest game of the season. They're at Clemson. I can't tell you how tough that game will be because we don't know how good Clemson will be. But those are the two hardest games on the schedule. They should win. The rest of them, they will be back in the playoffs. And as far as Texas being the favorite in the sec, Georgia is actually the favorite in the SEC by a hair over Texas.

[C]

But with the recruit that Texas has added in the transfers, like the two running backs that they added, and then the defense coordinator will.

[A]

Must champ.

[C]

I think Texas can give Georgia a run for their money. Then Arch Manning with the receivers that they have, they can.

[B]

I mean, Texas. Texas is a much better team than they were a year ago. And, you know, I mean, as of this hour, the game is still six weeks off. I think. I think. I think Texas will beat Ohio State. They got, you know, they got a lot of challenges on that schedule, though. Hey, thank you very much for the call. Really good to hear from you. You want to give us a ring? We're taking your phone calls. And Duncan is up next in Louisiana. Hello, Duncan.

[A]

Hi, Paul. How are you today, man?

[B]

We Are doing great. Thank you.

[C]

Awesome.

[A]

Listen, I had actually one or two questions if you don't mind, please, sir. No first. Okay, great. I've been an LSU Tiger fan for something like 60 years, but my question for you is to know just how Texas A and M did not make the SEC playoff with their record and Alabama.

[B]

Yeah. Duncan, I mean I hate to ask you to do this but can you repeat that? I got lost.

[A]

Yes, sir.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I was interested in how it what happened to Texas A and M not making the SEC championship.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

I may have word of that wrong before.

[B]

Yeah. I mean Texas A and M has not played in the championship game but you know, they came pretty close to it the last two years. That that is no longer who you are. The SEC has moved past that because of the 12 team playoff. Thanks for the call. Really do appreciate it. Let me check in with Travis up next in Alabama. Hello, Travis.

[A]

Yes. How are you doing today, Paul?

[B]

We are doing great.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Two quick questions for you. I'm just curious, what kind of punishments, what kind of punishments can this new CSA College Sports Commission, CSC levy against teams, is it, is it basically just the same old penalties that the NCAA could and I'm a big Alabama fan. My question about that is will Ryan Grub be fired? Do you think Ryan Grub will be fired if Alabama doesn't have a running game?

[C]

Again?

[A]

Thank you, Paul.

[B]

Thank you. Yeah. Most of the penalties from the College Sports Commission are more in relation to eligibility and nil. And I think they're more just restricting schools from what they can or can't do with a specific player. They don't have nearly to the eligibility jurisdiction that the NCAA has. As far as Ryan Grubba, I mean I think that's an open ended question. Depending on how Alabama does, if that, if that offense does not show any signs of life, if the offensive line is weak, if they screw around the quarterback position, I know the fans will be calling for his firing. But the reality is that Kaylen DeBoer is going to live or die with his offensive coordinator. Quick break. More of your phone calls. Welcome here. We'll also get an update from Washington. It's deadline time. You've heard that before. Is that bill going to get to the Senate floor? We'll find out in just a minute.

[A]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[B]

So this is White House to Amanda Kristovich. The White House has been following these negotiations closely and the President has been actively engaged. He wants to save college sports. He's also actively engaged with the White House, on about, with the Senate, on about 16 other things, including his attorney general, the Save America Act. Exactly where this fits into the priority, I have no earthly idea. But I'm hoping, Amanda, also, there's a war in Iran going on. Amanda joining us. Amanda, thank you. I'm going to get out of your way because I don't know what's happening in D.C. today other than what I see on my cable channels. This has not been one of those stories. But I know we're down to the deadline. Where are we?

[D]

Well, this is the funny thing about deadlines, right. Especially in the Senate. As a reporter, when I get a deadline, it actually means that I have a deadline. It appears that that is not the case here in the senate because the SEC and Big Ten have been G2 deadlines of yesterday morning and then this morning to tell senators whether or not they're going to approve of this bill and sign onto it. Obviously, that time has come and gone and we haven't heard from the Big Ten and sec. So the real deadline, and I'm telling you this not because the senators are telling me this, it's just this is the procedure that has been explained to me about like certain things that need to happen, especially with regards to everything else going on. The real deadline is when John Thune leaves the the Senate today, if he does not file for cloture today, which is the precursor to getting this bill to the floor next week. I don't expect to see this before the August resource recess.

[B]

And Amanda, I don't, I don't claim to know John Thune well, but I do know he is neither do I, literally under attack right now by the president of the United States about another bill that the president has said he will hold up the entire Senate until it has passed. It involves the filibuster rule. It's a big topic out there. He's also, you got the attorney general issue that is all over the news. You got the war, you got all these other things going on. And I'm sure John Thune will, you know, he's a man of his word when he says, you know, this is moving in the right direction, which it was the other day. I also know that Ted Cruz and Ed, whatever, Schmidt's first, Eric Schmidt and all these other guys are out there, you know, saying things. We're at the 1 inch line. But I also read today in Politico that said Ted Cruz always misleads the media when it comes to overhyping how close his Bills are. So I bring all that to your plate and have you make sense out of it all, Amanda, because I'm to the point where I don't believe anyone in Washington on any subject. So I'll defer to you.

[D]

You know, I'm going to be honest. I don't believe anyone anywhere for any reason except for you, Paul. I mean, you're the only person that's trustworthy in this whole big wide world. So, you know, if you were in the Senate, which I know you've never considered, I'm sure you would have given us the real, you know, what's really happening. But what I think is going on here and what actually did sort of surprise me, I talked to several folks who suggested that the media rights pooling and expansion issues are no longer the biggest issue on the table. It's more about what are we going to do about this cap circumvention. From a legislative perspective, that seems to be the holdup. And if that can get over the finish line in the next couple hours. Again, there is a path to getting this bill to the floor and likely to pass the Senate at least, you know, if we can get an answer in the next couple hours. But to your point about Senator Cruz, he put out a tweet about 30 minutes ago that was explaining the situation here with these associated entities and with the revenue sharing cap. My response to that tweet, and I tweeted it, so I'll say it to you, I said it publicly. This is not a tweet you put out. If your conversations are going well, yes, you got the best producers in the whole country outside of those at front office sports, obviously. But, but it's like this is not a tweet you put out when you're explaining yourself to this level of detail. This is not something you say publicly at 3pm on a Thursday when you're waiting to get the ahead to initiate the Senate board pro process.

[B]

So, Amanda and I know there's probably not a simple way, but, you know, if you have the sec, I think the conference call should be going on right now, shouldn't it?

[D]

Correct.

[B]

I guess there's a way I could find out. I have some proximity to where their office is right now. But is there one issue aside from what Ted Cruz is putting out on social media that is going to be the one they say okay, or the one that ends this for now?

[D]

I mean, I really thought that the issue that was going to be the sticking point was this pooling of the media rights and the expansion provision. Because I remember when Commissioner Sankey came on your show shortly after the bill was introduced, that was really what he had a big issue with. Right. The SEC in the Big Ten can handle this, athletes not being considered employees, et cetera, et cetera. But it really does seem to be this question about cap circumvention. Now is that something that they are publicly touting as a concern that they have when there are other issues behind closed doors? Sure, I think that, that that could be the case. You know, the other interesting dynamic here is that even within the Big Ten in the sec, schools can't even agree within their own conferences. So my question has been over the last couple hours, what are the SEC and the Big Ten going to say if they do vote? The Big Ten didn't vote. Right. Are they going to say, well, the majority of our schools support the bill, so we're going to come out and support it and go ahead and schedule your vote because the majority of the senators in our states are going to support it. Like, you know, there isn't even cohesion within the conferences. So, you know, as the minutes tick by, I just don't see like, like if I could give your callers a homework assignment, if somebody could figure out what plane John Boon is taking to leave Washington D.C. tonight, as I believe he and the rest of the senators are when he gets on that plane. This bill's done for at least until September if he's still in his office. And I think, you know, we might have a chance.

[B]

Yeah. Amanda, I know he lives in South Dakota. Is that right?

[D]

South Dakota.

[B]

So my limited understanding of South Dakota is that you better, you can't leave DC at 9 o'.

[A]

Clock.

[B]

I mean you better get on an early plane so you can go to Chicago or Denver or somewhere and I would think 440. Not that he has a hard time getting to the airport, not that he has a hard have to worry about parking, but I don't think he's got a lot of Runway, as we say, left in his day, do you?

[D]

No, I don't think so. And by the way, I've asked all my sources this, like when is our drop dead time here about if Senator Thune doesn't file for cloture, you know, at this point today, then we're done. Because everybody's going home today and they're not coming back till Tuesday. Right. Today's a fly out day and nobody seems to have an answer. I know that they're done with voting for the day. It seems that floor business, you know, is. Is done, but it doesn't appear clear. You know, nobody's willing to say, all right, he's gone. This is over for the next week. And again, we are now getting planted seeds by sources that there could be another round of this in September. And, Paul, if there's another round of this in September, I think the college football writers might. I mean, we might secede. We might secede from covering the politics of college football, because if we get into a lame duck session where we have sources saying, oh, we still are going to try to get this bill done, it's like, it doesn't matter if you like the bill or not. That's just ridiculous. So, you know, we're already getting told that that might be the case, so I think that that gives you an indication of just where things are going.

[B]

Amanda, I didn't tell the whole truth. I do know John Thune, and he did just text me, and he said, I'm watching you right now as I'm walking to my car to go to the airport. Tell Amanda hello. I missed talking.

[D]

Tell him to call me.

[B]

I will. Amanda, by the way, if there is conversations about this in September, we're not talking about it, I promise you. Because I will believe it less then than I do now.

[D]

Yeah, well, I just booked a hotel in Baton Rouge for September 5th, so I'll see you there.

[B]

Well, I also hope you'll book a spot on our show that afternoon. We cannot wait to see you.

[D]

Yeah, I'll be there.

[B]

Anything else you want to get off your chest before we wrap this up?

[D]

Well, if you have a second, if you want to play my therapist for a quick moment, I do have some criticisms for both sides here. My criticism of the Big Ten and the SEC is that they have been lobbying in Congress for six years, begging them for a bill, and when they finally get one that actually, actually has a chance of passing, we go through this whole song and dance about how now they don't want it and they don't like it. On the Senate side, I have a criticism about the concept of deadlines. As I said at the beginning of the show or my segment on the show, deadlines are usually, you know, if you miss a deadline, you get in trouble. Apparently, that. That isn't case in the Senate if there's a deadline that you're supposed to tell senators when you like something. Eh, it's a soft deadline. We'll check in in a few hours. You know, I mean, nothing seems real in terms of actual action here. And I am just left flabbergasted about the fact that the United States Senate doesn't seem to have a stronger position with regards to whether or not it can wrangle, you know, college sports conference. So those are my thoughts, and I really appreciate you for listening, Paul, as always.

[B]

Okay, listen, I'm your friend. You don't need to give me your Blue Cross card or anything. That's just on the house. Thank you, Amanda. We are heading to a break right now. Busy show. And that may be the final conversation that we have about the US Senate on this show today, unless there is breaking news, of course, and then we'll put it on the digital portion of the show. We'll be right back.

[A]

You're listening to the Paul Feinbaum show podcast.

[B]

We're back. And Tom is up next in Alpharetta. Hello, Tom.

[A]

Hey, Paul. Let me preface my report by saying won't be the opponents that face Georgia and Alabama when they fully get in the portal. Now, you said you wanted to hear from your audience about Mr. Sin Eddie. He sounded like Fauci more and more every day. But here's, here's an analogy. You had a guy on yesterday. This, this is the problem with people. One, I couldn't care less what people think about the sec. I love the sec. It's the best conference. And that's dictated by eyeballs and money. And if you don't believe it, just ask ESPN if they want to exchange a big timber. They see, that takes care of that. Now, you had a guy yesterday named Mark or Mike. I don't know. I think it was Mark. And he was comparing Seneti to DeBoer. I really feel for DeBoer in a way, because you can't compare the two. You can't compare coaches. You have to compare situations. You have to compare environs. You have to compare. Compare entities. You can't say he, this, that, therefore this. You can't do that. Okay, here's a hypothetical, Paul. In three, we're gonna make a. We're gonna make a five. We're gonna make a five year bet. Yeah, I want, you know, I'll let you answer this. I want you to make a bet. Tomorrow. Alabama plays Indiana in Atlanta, and you got to bet your house. Who you going to bet on now?

[B]

Did you give me the year of the game

[A]

immediately tomorrow?

[B]

Oh, I'm betting on Indiana.

[A]

There you go. Now I'm gonna give you Walker Jones from Ole Miss over there. That runs a collective like it should be run. Okay. And this goes back about eight months. Because I've been saying this and legend has come in and said it too. You don't say it near as much as I thought you might and you may and you have your reasons, but. Okay, we got Walker Jones running the collective. We've got Alabama. Now, you lost Alabama, you lost Indiana. They beat the hell out of us. Ok? Five years from now, you got the collective run by Walker Jones. You got a commitment from Alabama donations and everywhere else to where you got $40 million a year. Now this is a five year bet. Now this is serious. It's hypothetical, but it's serious. Okay? Now to all of you out there that love Senetti, you gotta bet your house after 5 years and 5 years of 25. 5 stars, 4 stars, etc with Deborah. Screw Senate with Deborah. And we got to bet our house on it today. Okay, not that, no, today you got to do it right now and you got to bet your house on who you're betting on. Paul?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, Tom, I don't mean to keep coming back, but I'm a little bit confused. Is this five years from now? Is that what you're suggesting?

[A]

Yes, sir.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What I've told Alabama fans that call into this program is please relax because until you get in the portal, you're not going to win the national championship. So just forget it.

[B]

No, no, I agree with you completely on that. And Alabama is in the portal. They're not in there halfway, they're in there, but it's not even the portal money. And what you say about Walker Jones is correct. It's just, I believe it's a philosophy that DeBoer has and maybe it's Greg Byrne, I don't know who it is, but it's not one that you have to utilize and employ to win successfully in today's environment.

[A]

But you're making. All right, there's two sides to a coach. And this is what Alabama fans, I know I'm sounding confusing here, but I never call this program unless something piques my interest. You know, and when I heard this guy yesterday talk about SNED and comparing, I fell for Deborah. You can't do that. And I've said that. I'm repeating myself. But what I'm saying now is yes, there's two sides to a coach. There's a coach that walks out. There's a coach who gets on the podium. There's a coach they see on the sidelines. There's the demeanor and all that. We don't know what he's doing inside, though. See, we know what Saban would be doing inside. We know what Sennetti would be doing inside. And I've said eight months ago, always hire coach that can get an AD fired. So we don't know what Deborah is doing inside. We don't know what he has to work with. We don't know what he's doing. That's why I got upset. Yes. Him talking about, well, you know, Senated this and pulled DeBoer. Deborah, hell, you could win with Alabama's team in five years if they do that. This is my point for Alabama fans. Please relax. Keep petitioning to get in the portal. Full board. You lost two players this year. Two to the team that you, Paul, think the number one team in the nation. And I do, too. And I think Ohio State is overrated. And I think Oregon is probably number two. Well, guess what? They're full bore in the portal. Give me your five.

[B]

Yeah, but. Hey, Tom, let me jump in here for a second. I get what you're saying, but Alabama has made critical strategic mistakes, and that is on the board. That's just not on the University of Alabama. And the real question I have, if this is not rectified in a relatively short period of time, the overall philosophy, then five years from now is going to be too late. Alabama cannot just waltz in to college football and take it over again. They have done that over time. It is a historical power. But so was Nebraska.

[A]

Okay, so I made a mistake. You're right. That's very good. You're right. Five years is too long. But you see, what I'm. What I'm trying to say, though, is the two entities that Mark was talking about yesterday, you. That's why I brought up Oregon and I brought up. Wow, they're all in the port.